Originally Posted by Alsatian

The answer is simple. Keep your wife out of it. Let the BIL take it to "the guy," or have "the guy" go get it from your BIL. Then it is their problem if they have mistaken the law and not your wife's problem. These things get very tricky. Here is an angle to consider: even if the transaction suggested IS legal . . . would it be a satisfactory outcome if a criminal gun charge were brought against your wife (or the BIL for that matter) and the charge was, ultimately, overcome in court? That could take a lot of time, cost a lot of money, create other complications (being on a federal no-fly list) that can be difficult ultimately to clear up. It just isn't worth the hassle. An abundance of caution is advisable.